How to Eliminate Dark Circles

Having dark circles under your eyes may be largely hereditary, but as a new mother to an infant, I can attest that lack of sleep certainly does me no favors. But who wants to walk around looking perpetually sleep deprived? Not me, especially when looking bright eyed can sometimes be the trick to at least making me feel a little more rested. So here’s how I fake 8 hours of sleep in three easy steps!

1. Balance out the blue

My circles have a deep blue undertone to them. Anyone else with the same problem knows that your average concealers do nothing to hide them. The key to combatting blue or black-like circles is to first apply a corrector in a peach or pink shade. The corrector will neutralize the blue and prep your skin for brightening! My favorite corrector? Bobbi Brown in Light Bisque or Light Peach. It’s a bit pricey, but it lasts forever. (Mine has lasted well over six months so far!)

2. Brighten

Now that the undertone has been balanced, it’s time to brighten. Yellow concealers a bit lighter than your natural skin color are perfect for brighting up the area and hiding any darkness. I swear by Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. (Looking for a drug store version? Try Maybelline’s Fit Me Concealer!) Remember to go a bit lighter than your natural skin color. This concealer is not the same shade you’d use to cover blemishes!

3. Highlight

Now that your under eye circles are completely concealed, adding just a bit of highlight is the icing on the cake. Apply to the inner corners (around your tear ducts), under your brow bones, and on your upper cheek bones to reflect light. This step doesn’t do anything to conceal (that should already be taken care of!), but it really adds an extra brightness to help fake a few additional hours of rest and the look of radiant skin! My current favorite is Maybelline’s Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer, which is a great inexpensive alternative to cult favorite Touche Eclat!